5 advantages of using artificial intelligence in genetic testing

Emirati researcher and member of the Emirates Experts Program for the Health and Welfare Sector, Fatima Al Ali, identified five advantages of using artificial intelligence in genetic testing, including: early detection of health risks, expanding the scope of genetic testing, customized health solutions, promoting preventive health, and improving the efficiency of the health system. She stressed the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into genetic testing, which the state began implementing mandatory for those about to get married at the beginning of this year.

She explained that using artificial intelligence to analyze genetic data helps detect whether or not diseases exist for those about to marry, and also enables the identification of children at risk of genetic diseases in the early stages.

In detail, Fatima Al Ali, a member of the Emirates Experts Program for the health and well-being sector, conducted research that highlighted the importance of integrating artificial intelligence and genetic sequencing in promoting preventive health and providing personalized health care, which supports the UAE’s vision of building a healthy and sustainable society.

Fatima Al Ali told Emirates Today: “There is a difference between traditional genetic testing and the use of modern technologies. Traditional testing is limited and is used to diagnose known diseases, while modern technologies enhance the ability to prevent, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment, and they are the future in medicine, as it depends on Traditional screening relies on simple methods, such as chromosomal profiling and analysis of specific mutations, and its accuracy is limited, while screening based on modern technologies relies on new generation sequencing (NGS) and whole genome analysis using artificial intelligence, and provides a comprehensive and accurate analysis of mutations. Complex and rare diseases, in addition to being used to detect rare and complex diseases such as genetic tumors, and to predict diseases before they appear.”

Al Ali explained that there are five advantages of using artificial intelligence in genetic screening, including early detection of health risks, as artificial intelligence can analyze the genetic data of those about to get married, and identify children at risk of developing hereditary and chronic diseases in early stages, such as early detection of the possibility of infection. Metabolic disorders, and contributes to expanding the scope of genetic testing.

She continued: “The second advantage of using artificial intelligence is personalized health solutions, as integrating artificial intelligence with the UAE Genome Program enables the design of health care plans that are in line with the individual needs of each person, such as developing customized treatments for cancer patients based on their genetic makeup, and transitioning from care to Curative to preventive.

She pointed out that the third advantage includes improving the accuracy of genetic testing and analyzing the results, especially for those about to get married. She said that the use of artificial intelligence in genetic testing before marriage enhances early detection of genetic diseases and helps make informed health decisions to build healthy generations.

She stated that the fourth advantage includes improving the accuracy of premarital genetic tests using “artificial intelligence, as it contributes to accurately analyzing couples’ data to detect hidden genetic mutations that may lead to hereditary diseases in children, such as identifying genetic mutations associated with cystic fibrosis, which is a hereditary disease resulting from Genetic mutation, which leads to obstruction of the bronchial tubes and digestive system.

She explained that the fifth advantage is that artificial intelligence provides preventive recommendations to couples based on the results of the examination, to avoid the transmission of genetic diseases, such as suggesting artificial insemination with embryo screening to avoid genetic diseases, and providing a future health plan to reduce the risks to the family.

Al Ali touched on the challenges of using artificial intelligence in the health field, saying: “The health sector faces multiple challenges that affect the quality and sustainability of services, the most prominent of which is the high volume of medical data, by dealing with huge amounts of information that require advanced systems for accurate analysis, privacy and security.” Information.

She noted that the UAE has adopted a proactive approach to confront these challenges, by investing in technology and innovation, with a focus on artificial intelligence, to enhance the efficiency of health services, and the use of smart technologies in diagnosis and treatment, and launched the Emirati Genome Programme.

She pointed out that the country has also succeeded in developing health infrastructure, by establishing advanced research centers and laboratories to integrate artificial intelligence techniques into analyzing medical data, and training national cadres to be able to use modern technology effectively. In addition, the UAE has been interested in spreading health awareness, through Focusing on the importance of early screening through broad awareness campaigns, especially in the field of genetic diseases, and promoting a culture of using technology to improve health services among community members.

A member of the Emirates Experts Program for the Health and Welfare Sector stressed the importance of increasing awareness of the importance of integrating modern technologies into health programs, especially since integrating modern technologies such as genetic screening and artificial intelligence contributes to improving prevention and early detection of diseases, which reduces health burdens on individuals and society, noting. Modern technologies can be applied in additional examinations, such as detecting chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, while building national databases such as the Emirati Genome Program, which supports preventive medicine and develops health services tailored to each individual.

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UAE Genome Programme

Fatima Al Ali confirmed that the UAE Genome Program aims to analyze population genetic data, to improve the prevention of hereditary and chronic diseases, and supports early diagnosis and the development of customized treatments, which enhances the quality of health care, and helps build a national database, which contributes to the development of preventive medicine, as it can To become a global model by investing in research and development, establishing international partnerships with global research centers, expanding the use of the program to include new tests, and enhancing community awareness of the importance of preventive medicine.